| Just how important are shape and depth in your | | | | pond that are less than two feet deep! |
| Koi pond design? The answer is that they are | | | | All of the sides of the pond should go almost |
| much more important than many people realize. | | | | straight down rather than tapering. The pond just |
| Sometimes people will get overly creative with | | | | won't be safe for your Koi otherwise. If you have |
| the shape of their pond. This creates many | | | | any spots, particularly near the edge of the pond, |
| problems they don't realize until it's too late. | | | | that are less than two feet deep it is like sending |
| The consequences of some of these rambling | | | | out an open invitation to dinner to all the raccoons |
| designs become noticeable only after the pond is | | | | and blue heron in the area. |
| built and filled with water. | | | | Even if you think you live in a relatively |
| They find that it is very difficult and time | | | | predator-free area you will find out differently if |
| consuming to keep these types of ponds clean. | | | | you don't construct your pond defensively when it |
| Many times the pond is shaped so that it has | | | | comes to depth. You might think your fish are |
| "dead" areas where water doesn't circulate | | | | safe if you have built a deep area with a cave for |
| properly. Organic debris such as leaves, twigs and | | | | your Koi to hide in, but it will still be no match for |
| grasses will collect there and eventually sink. Then | | | | the blue heron. |
| this debris will begin decomposing at the bottom | | | | This Koi predator will simply wade out into your |
| of the pond. | | | | pond and wait patiently for the fish to come out |
| The bottom contour of the pond is another | | | | of hiding. |
| important part of your Koi pond design. Flat | | | | It is much more aesthetically pleasing to build your |
| bottom ponds will need frequent vacuuming to | | | | pond properly than to find out later that it's |
| keep them clean. | | | | necessary to cover it with a net. A deep pond |
| If you want to build a pond that is as | | | | with steep sides is the best defense against Koi |
| "maintenance free" as possible then you need to | | | | predators. |
| pay close attention to both the shape of the pond | | | | Another thing to know about depth is that Koi |
| and the inside contour, right from the edge of | | | | get the most exercise by swimming up and down |
| your pond all the way to the bottom drain. | | | | in the pond as opposed to back and forth, thus to |
| You want to contour the bottom of the pond so | | | | raise healthy, large Koi three feet deep is just the |
| that, through gravity, debris makes it's way along | | | | bare minimum. You might want to include an area |
| the bottom towards the drain. | | | | up to six feet in depth to provide for plenty of |
| A well designed pond shape and contour can save | | | | exercise as well as safety. |
| you many hours of work and provide a healthier | | | | There is a little room to play with when figuring |
| environment for your Koi. | | | | depths for your Koi pond but make sure you |
| In my opinion all Koi ponds should be at least | | | | take the forgoing tips seriously when planing your |
| three feet deep and not have any areas of the | | | | Koi pond design! |